NYC95LA149

During the approach, the pilot performed the prelanding checklist. The pilot stated, '...going through the checklist my fingers touched the gear switch but did not put the switch in the gear down position....upon landing, it was clear that the gear was up....' The airplane landed wheels up. Additionally, the pilot stated, '...with the Mooney on its belly, I checked the gear horn since I did not hear it at any time. The horn did not work as it did a few days before....'

On July 9, 1995, about 1030 eastern daylight time, a Mooney 20E, N9296V, piloted by Paul C. Oswald, was substantially damaged during landing in Burlington, Connecticut. The pilot and passenger were not injured. Visual meteorological conditions prevailed. There was no flight plan for the personal flight conducted under CFR 14 Part 91.

The pilot reported that he departed Sussex, New Jersey, destined for Burlington, to conduct instrument training. In a written statement, submitted by the pilot, he stated:

...After locating the traffic and self announcing my position, I entered my downwind leg at 2000 feet mean sea level. As I was checking my airspeed to lower the landing gear, I spotted a twin engine aircraft to my above left. The twin was descending on a possible midair collision. I immediately made a steep descending turn to the right. After a 360 degree turn and returning to my downwind leg, the twin announced his downwind leg and reported seeing the Mooney. At this time I started a prelanding checklist. Going through the checklist, my fingers touched the gear switch but did not put the switch in the gear down position. At this time we lost the twin and were looking. He reported his base leg, but we still did not have the traffic. We spotted the twin after he announced his final, about 6 miles out. We did not lose sight of the twin again. With all that was going on, I did not check the gear switch. Upon landing, it was clear that the gear was up. The flight ended at 1110 eastern daylight time. With the Mooney on its belly, I checked the gear horn, since I did not hear it at any time. The horn did not work as it did a few days before....